Lisa Podgurski has joined The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 103 and National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), Boston chapter as manager of business development. Podgurski will be based at 256 Freeport St. - home of Greater Boston's Electrical Industry Joint Apprenticeship and Training Center. In her new position, Podgurski teams with business development director Matthew Lash in advocating the joint resources of the IBEW and NECA as the leading providers in electrical, telecommunications and renewable energy project construction, training, continuing education, and safety to the Greater Boston construction-user community. She also will promote the associations' proactive roles in labor relations and government affairs that impact the electrical construction industry and the construction industry in general. Podgurski comes to IBEW and NECA from the Massachusetts Electrical Contractors Association (MECA), a trade group comprised largely of open shop businesses, where she served as executive director for 10 years. There, she managed the 300-member Association and was responsible for all administrative and financial functions as well as educational outreach and legislative efforts that safeguard industry interests. "During my decade leading MECA, I had the opportunity to collaborate with IBEW and NECA on a range of issues critical to the electrical construction industry in Massachusetts," Podgurski said. "Now, as an ambassador for these two dynamic organizations, I welcome the opportunity to advocate their mission that responsible construction is undertaken in projects throughout Massachusetts. It is crucial that we enable contractors who conduct business responsibly, to have the ability to remain prosperous, especially in the midst of a much needed construction renaissance in Boston." "IBEW Local 103 electricians and technicians embody professionalism and cutting-edge expertise, which is why they have wired many of metro Boston's most sought-after properties," said business manager Michael Monahan. "Lisa's industry know-how will help ensure that Local 103 is viewed by existing and prospective customers as the trusted source for the highest quality electrical construction services." NECA executive manager Glenn Kingsbury said, "Unionized electrical contractors have unsurpassed expertise in delivering projects that meet the highest industry standards on time and within budget. Moreover, they embrace social responsibility by paying workers fair wages, quality health insurance and pension benefits. Lisa's understanding of the industry uniquely enables her to communicate the NECA-IBEW commitment and track record of construction excellence and our role as industry leaders in all aspects of electrical and telecom construction to the electrical construction industry and the region's construction users."